Dispensing device and method for introducing fluid into high pressure lines

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method is disclosed for introducing a fluid dehydrant into a high pressure refrigeration system. The fluid dehydrant is packaged in a squeeze bottle or tube having a short dispensing section fixed to the discharge opening of the squeeze bottle, the dispensing section being flexible but sufficiently rigid to withstand the pressure in the refrigeration system. Each end of the dispensing section is provided with a check valve so the portion between the check valves acts as a pump. The discharge end of the dispensing section, in addition, is provided with a threaded flair fitting adapted to mate with the standard fitting of a refrigeration system charging hose. With the flair fitting connected to the charging hose, the bottle is manually squeezed to force the fluid dehydrant through the dispensing section between the check valves and through the charging hose until it appears at the open end of the charging hose. This purges the dispensing section and charging hose of air and primes the pump portion between the check valves. The charging hose is then connected to the compressor charging valve. Any suitable means such as a pliers is then used to squeeze the dispensing section between the check valves, i.e., the pump portion, for injecting the dehydrant directly into the refrigeration system.

United States Patent [191 Post I 1 1 DISPENSING DEVICE AND METHOD FORINTRODUCING FLUID INTO HIGH PRESSURE LINES [76] Inventor: John FranklinPost, RD. 2, Chester,

[22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 291,809

[52] US. Cl 141/1, 62/77, 62/149,

62/292, 141/382, 222/92, 222/450 [51] Int. Cl. B65b 3/04 [58] Field ofSearch 141/1, 2, 3, 4-8,

References Cited Primary Examiner-Howard S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Roger Aceto Mar. 5, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and method isdisclosed for introducing a fluid dehydrant into ahigh pressurerefrigeration system. The fluid dehydrant is packaged in a squeezebottle or tube having a short dispensing section fixed to the dischargeopening of the squeeze bottle, the dispensing section being flexible butsufficiently rigid to withstand the pressure in the refrigerationsystem. Each end of the dispensing section is provided with a checkvalve so the portion between the check valves acts as a pump. Thedischarge end of the dispensing section, in addition, is provided with athreaded flair fitting adapted to mate with the standard fitting of arefrigeration system charging hose. With the flair fitting connected tothe charging hose, the bottle is manually squeezed to force the fluiddehydrant through the dispensing section between the check valves andthrough the charging hose until it appears atthe open end of thecharging hose. This purges the dispensing section and charging hose ofair and primes the pump portion between the check valves. The charginghose is then connected'to the compressor charging valve. Any suitablemeans such as a pliers is then used to squeeze the dispensing sectionbetween the check valves, i.e., the pump portion, for injecting thedehydrant directlyv into the refrigeration system.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 DISPENSING DEVICE AND METHOD FORINTRODUCING FLUID INTO HIGHPRESSURE LINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a dispensing device andmethod for introducing fluids into high pressure systems and moreparticularly to such a device and method for introducing a fluiddehydrant into high pressure refrigeration systems for chemically dryingand deieing the refrigerant.

In refrigeration systems using methyl chloride, methylene chloride,isobutane, or a standard fluorine refrigerant, excess moisture in therefrigerantwill form ice particles at the expansion device causing therefrigeration system to freeze up. In order to free the system, onepractice is to introduce a fluid dehydrant directly into therefrigeration lines to chemically dry the refrigerant and prevent itfrom precipitating ice particles.

There are several methods for. introducingsuch a fluid dehydrant into ahigh pressure refrigeration system. For example, in one method theappropriate valves are closed and the refrigeration system pumped fromits normal pressure of up to 300 psidown to a pressure of 2 to 3 psi.The flair connection at the expansion valve is then broken'and the fluiddehydrant introduced directly into the refrigeration'line-from a squeezebottle container. In another method, the system is pumped down until thecompressor acts as a vacuumpumpon the evaporator portion of the system.

The fluid. dehydrant is then drawn into the system under the vacuumpulled by the compressor. The main disadvantage of such methods is thatthe system must be pumped down to a relatively low psi and time is loston restarting the refrigeration system and bringing it up to operatingpressure. Further, there is always the danger of introducing air intothe system'when such methods are employed.

' Another method which does not require that the system be pumped down,uses a container whiehis strong enough to withstand the high, pressureof the refrigeration system. The container has two openings, one beingattached to the charging valve of the refrigeration system through acharging hose and the other being attached-through another charging hoseto a charging cylinder filled with refrigerant under pressure; Thepressure of the refrigerant in the charging-cylinder is used to forcethe fluid dehydrantfrom the container into the refrigeration system.This method is not entirely satisfactory in that either the dehydrantmust be packaged in a container able to withstand the pressures of therefrigeration system or the maintenance personnel must carry a containerof the dehydrant and. a special, high pressure container into which heplaces the amount of dehydrant he wishes to introduce into. therefrigeration system.

ln the present invention, the fluid dehydrant is pack 2 of therefrigeration system. The discharge section is then squeezed with pliersor other suitable device to inject the fluid dehydrant directly into therefrigeration system.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be characterized in one aspect thereof by the provision ofa squeeze bottle container of the fluid to be introduced into therefrigeration system. The squeeze bottle includes a discharge sectionmade of a material sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure of therefrigeration system, at least a portion of the discharge section beingflexible yet resilient enough to return to its original shape whenreleasedsa pair of oneway check valves in the discharge section topermit flow of fluid from the bottle and through the discharge section,one valve being adjacent the squeeze bottle outlet and the second valvebeing adjacent the outlet of the discharge; and a threaded fitting onthe discharge section adapted to connect to the charging fittingof therefrigeration system or as preferred, to a standard eharging hose. V i

The method of use includes the steps of connecting the squeeze bottle toa charging hose by threading the flair fitting to the charging hose;manually squeezing the bottle to force a'quantity of fluid from thebottle into the discharge section between the valves and through thehose to purge air from the bottle, dispensing section and charging hose;connecting the open end of the charging hose to the charging valve ofthe system, and, thereafter squeezing the flexible portion of thedischarge section with pliers or other-suitable de'- vice to exertsufficient pressure to overcome the pressure of the refrigeration systemand inject the fluid in the dispensing section directly into therefrigeration line.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Another object of the present invention is toprovide a squeeze bottle container which can be mated directly to therefrigeration system forinjecting a fluid dehy drant directly into therefrigeration lines. 7 Still another object of the present invention isto pro vide a squeeze bottle container having an integral dispensingsection adapted to connect to the charging valve of a refrigerationsystem through a standard charging hose, the dispensing's'ection beingthe only portion of the container capable .of withstanding the pressureof the refrigeration system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method forintroducing a measured amount of fluid dehydrant directly into arefrigeration system without the need for reducing the pressure of thesystem or stopping the operation of the system.

These and other objects, advantages and characteriz ing features of thepresent invention will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description thereof when taken in connection withaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic viewshowing the manner in which the apparatus ofthe invention may be utilized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIG.1 shows the container of the present invention generally indicated at toinclude a relatively thin walled flexible body portion 12. The bodyportion forms what is generally known as a squeeze bottle or squeezetube and contains the fluid dehydrant which is to be introduced into therefrigeration system. The body portionhas a spout 14 to which isattached the dispensing section 16 of the container. The dispensingsection includes a length of hose 18 which, preferably is shorter-thanthe body of the container. The material of the hose is relatively stiffand strong enough to withstand the pressure of the refrigeration system,yet sufficiently flexible so that it may be deformed by a force appliedwith pliers or other suitable instruments and resilient enough to returnto original shape when released. I

One end 20 of the hose is designed to fit over spout 14. The hose isattached to the spout simply by pushing or rotating the hose on to thespout to force the spout and hose together. End 20 ofthe hose isprovided with a check valve 22 fixedly held in the hose by a clampingmember such as a crimped metal ring 26. The check valve has a stemportion 24 which fits snugly into spout 14. Engagement of hose over thespout plus the snug fit of valve stem 24 into the spout insures that theattachment of the hose to the squeeze bottle 12 is fluid and pressuretight. Metal ring 26 which tightly embraces valve 22 also insures thatthe container body portion 12 is not subjected to high pressure when thecontainer is attached to a refrigeration system as setout herein below.

The forward end 28 of hose 18 is provided with aflair' fitting whichincludes a check valve 30, a threaded discharge nozzle 32 and a headportion 34. A second metal clamp, such as a crimped. band 36 fixes theforward end of the hose about the flair fitting.

Preferably, the male-threads on the discharge nozzle 32 are adapted tomate with a female fitting 38 on one end of standard charging hose 40.The use of charging hoses is well known in the art Briefly, such hosesare used because the charging valve of the refrigeration system isusually located in a relatively inaccessible spot which makes itdifficult to attach any sort of container directly to the valve. Alsosuch valves are usually provided with a male fitting. Thus the usualpractice is to attach one end of a flexible charging hose to thecharging valve and then snake the other end of the hose aroundtherefrigeration equipment to a more convenient location to permitintroduction of fluid into the system according to one of the methodsset out above under Background of The Invention. Accordingly while thedispenser of the present invention can be made to attach directly to themale fitting of the charging valve, this is not preferred. First,because the usually inaccessible location of the charging valve makes itdifficult to connect a container to the valve and second because acontainer according to the present invention only with a dischargenozzle 32 having internal or female threads, is less economical tomanufacture.

In operation the entire container 10 is attached to a standard charginghose 40 by threading discharge nozzle 32 to female fitting 38 on one endof the hose as shown in FIG. 2. Container 12 is then squeezed normallyto force a small quantity of the dehydrant fluid into a chamber 42between check valves 22 and 30 and out through the other end 44 of thecharging hose. This purges the container, the dispenser and the charginghose of air. The other end 44 of the charging hose with its femalefitting then is connected to the male fitting of the refrigerationsystem charging valve 46. Thereafter any suitable means is applied tothe center portion of dispensing hose 18 to exert a pressure on the hosein the direction shown by arrows 48 (FIG. 1). This deforms the hose tothe position shown in dotted line to force fluid from chamber 42 and outthrough check valve 30. Since the refrigeration system may be under arelatively high pressure, say 300 psi, and the material of hose l8'isrelatively stiff, some too], such as a pliers 50 (FIG. 2), is requiredfor exerting the force necessary to deform the hose. The operation ofmanually squeezing container 12 and then squeezing dispensing hose 18.with the pliers may be repeated several times until sufficientdehydrant fluid has been injected into the refrigeration system. In thisrespect, if the volume of chamber 42 is known, the user is provided witha convenient means to measure the amount of fluid being introduced intothe system.

Thus, dispenser portion 16, particularly that portion of hose 18 betweencheck valves 22 and 30, forms a pump which can be used to force fluidinto the refrigeration system and at the same time, provide a relativelyaccurate measurement of fluid being introduced into the system. Theconstruction of dispenser portion 16 is considerably more rugged thanthe squeeze bottle contain'er 12 so that the dispenser portion is ableto with stand the relatively large forces required to push fluid intothe refrigeration system. The use of the metal band 26 about the hoseand check valve 22 in particular isolate any pressures generated inchamber 42 from the squeeze bottle.

When attaching container 10' to the refrigeration charging hose it maybe sufficient merely to grasp the squeeze bottle and rotate it to matethe flair fitting with the charging hose female fitting 38. However, inorder to insure that the torque created would not damage spout 14, thetightening of threaded discharge nozzle 32 and female fitting 38 can beaccomplished by applying a wrench or other suitable tool to the head 34of the flair fitting.

While the invention has been described, with respect to apparatus andmethod for introducing a fluid dehydrant into a refrigeration system, itshould be appreciated that other fluids such as an internal tracer typeleak detector may be introduced into refrigeration system in a similarmanner.

Thus it should be appreciated that the present invention accomplishesits attended objects in providing a method and apparatus for introducingfluid, particularly fluid dehydrants into a refrigeration system withoutthe need for reducing the pressure of the system or stopping or openingthe system.

Having thus described the invention in detail, what is claimed as newis:

l. A container for charging fluid into a pressurized refrigerationsystem comprising:

a. a flexible body portion containing a supply of the fluid to becharged into the pressurized refrigeration system and being of the typewhich is squeezed by hand to express fluid through a spout,'said bodyportion having insufficient strength to withstand the pressure of therefrigeration system;

b. a dispenser portion capable of withstanding the pressure of therefrigeration system, said dispenser portion having a section defining apump chamber between a first end disposed in fluid tight relationshipabout said spout and a second end, at least part of said section beingflexible;

c. means carried by said first end including a check valve for isolatingsaid body portion from the pressure of the refrigeration system; and

d. means carried by said second end for attaching said dispenser portionto a refrigeration system charging valve whereby said body portion ismanually squeezed to transfer a quantity of fluid into said pump chamberand thereafter said flexible part of said dispenser section is squeezedto. force fluid from said pump chamber and into the refrigeration systemagainst the pressure of the system.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1 including a check valve in saidsecond end, said pump chamber being defined by the section ofsaiddispenser between said check valves. g

3. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said check valve includesa stem portion extending into said spout and said first end is disposedover said spout.

4. A container as set forth'in claim 3 wherein said means carried bysaid first end includes a metal band embracing said first end at saidcheck valve for clamping said check valve and dispenser portiontogetherin a fluid tight relationship.

5. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means carried bysaid second end comprises:

a. a flair fitting having a portion disposed in said second end and athreaded nozzle portion adapted to connect said container to'arefrigeration system charging valve;

b. a check valve in said second end; and

c. a metal band embracing said first end at said flair fitting and checkvalve for clamping the same and said dispenser portion together in afluid tight relationship.

6. A container asset forth in claim 5 wherein the nozzle portion of saidflare fitting is provided with external threads for connecting saiddispenser portion to one end of a charging hose, said hose having itsother end adapted to connect to a refrigeration system charging valve. 7

7. A dispenser for charging fluid into a pressurized refrigerationsystem comprising:

a. a flexible body portion containing a supply of the fluid to becharged into the system, said body portion having a strengthinsufficient to withstand the pressure of the system and being ofa typewhich is manually squeezed to express fluid through a container spout;

b. a section of hose having a first end disposed in fluid tightrelationship about said spout, said hose being 6 flexible and having astrength sufficient to with stand the pressure of the system;

c. first and second spaced check valves in said hose arranged to permitone-way flow of fluid from said body portion and through said hose, saidspaced check valves and a section of said hose therebetween defining apump chamber;

d. a flair fitting carried by the second end of said hose, said fittinghaving a portion, which includes said second check valve, extending intosaid hose, and an externally threaded discharge portion for connectingsaid fitting to a refrigeration system charging valve; and v e. a metalband about each end of said hose, one

band embracing said flair fitting and one band embracing said firstcheck valve wherein said metal bands clamp said hose in a fluid tightrelationship against said flair fitting and first check valverespectively, said first check valve and its embracing metal band actingto isolate said body portion from pressures generated in said pumpchamber;

whereby manually squeezing said body portion expresses fluid throughsaid spout and into said pump chamber and thereafter squeezing said hosesection forces fluid from said pump chamber and through said threadeddischarge portion.

8. A dispenser as set forth in claim 7 wherein the volume of said pumpchamber is known and provides means for measuring the amount of fluidintroduced into the refrigeration system. V

9. A method for introducing a quantity of fluid into a pressurizedrefrigeration system comprising the steps of:

a. providing a squeeze bottle containing a supply of said fluid, saidbottle being incapable of withstanding the pressure in the system, saidbottle having a flexible dispenser portion fixed thereto capable ofwithstanding such pressure, a pair of spaced check valves defining apump chamber in said dispenser portion, and a threaded flair fitting;

b. threadably connecting the dispenser portion of said squeeze bottle tothe chargingvalve of the-refrigeration system; 1

c. manually squeezing said bottle to force a quantity of fluid into saidpump chamber between said check valves; and v d. squeezing saiddispenser portion with force multiplying means to create sufficientforce to overcome tion of the fluid from said pump chamber and into therefrigeration system. 10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein steps(c) and (d) are performed in sequence after the steps of:

to said refrigeration system charging valve.

the pressure of the system and pump at least a por-

1. A container for charging fluid into a pressurized refrigerationsystem comprising: a. a flexible body portion containing a supply of thefluid to be charged into the pressurized refrigeration system and beingof the type which is squeezed by hand to express fluid through a spout,said body portion having insufficient strength to withstand the pressureof the refrigeration system; b. a dispenser portion capable ofwithstanding the pressure of the refrigeration system, said dispenserportion having a section defining a pump chamber between a first enddisposed in fluid tight relationship about said spout and a second end,at least part of said section being flexible; c. means carried by saidfirst end including a check valve for isolating said body portion fromthe pressure of the refrigeration system; and d. means carried by saidsecond end for atTaching said dispenser portion to a refrigerationsystem charging valve whereby said body portion is manually squeezed totransfer a quantity of fluid into said pump chamber and thereafter saidflexible part of said dispenser section is squeezed to force fluid fromsaid pump chamber and into the refrigeration system against the pressureof the system.
 2. A container as set forth in claim 1 including a checkvalve in said second end, said pump chamber being defined by the sectionof said dispenser between said check valves.
 3. A container as set forthin claim 1 wherein said check valve includes a stem portion extendinginto said spout and said first end is disposed over said spout.
 4. Acontainer as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means carried by saidfirst end includes a metal band embracing said first end at said checkvalve for clamping said check valve and dispenser portion together in afluid tight relationship.
 5. A container as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid means carried by said second end comprises: a. a flair fittinghaving a portion disposed in said second end and a threaded nozzleportion adapted to connect said container to a refrigeration systemcharging valve; b. a check valve in said second end; and c. a metal bandembracing said first end at said flair fitting and check valve forclamping the same and said dispenser portion together in a fluid tightrelationship.
 6. A container as set forth in claim 5 wherein the nozzleportion of said flare fitting is provided with external threads forconnecting said dispenser portion to one end of a charging hose, saidhose having its other end adapted to connect to a refrigeration systemcharging valve.
 7. A dispenser for charging fluid into a pressurizedrefrigeration system comprising: a. a flexible body portion containing asupply of the fluid to be charged into the system, said body portionhaving a strength insufficient to withstand the pressure of the systemand being of a type which is manually squeezed to express fluid througha container spout; b. a section of hose having a first end disposed influid tight relationship about said spout, said hose being flexible andhaving a strength sufficient to withstand the pressure of the system; c.first and second spaced check valves in said hose arranged to permitone-way flow of fluid from said body portion and through said hose, saidspaced check valves and a section of said hose therebetween defining apump chamber; d. a flair fitting carried by the second end of said hose,said fitting having a portion, which includes said second check valve,extending into said hose, and an externally threaded discharge portionfor connecting said fitting to a refrigeration system charging valve;and e. a metal band about each end of said hose, one band embracing saidflair fitting and one band embracing said first check valve wherein saidmetal bands clamp said hose in a fluid tight relationship against saidflair fitting and first check valve respectively, said first check valveand its embracing metal band acting to isolate said body portion frompressures generated in said pump chamber; whereby manually squeezingsaid body portion expresses fluid through said spout and into said pumpchamber and thereafter squeezing said hose section forces fluid fromsaid pump chamber and through said threaded discharge portion.
 8. Adispenser as set forth in claim 7 wherein the volume of said pumpchamber is known and provides means for measuring the amount of fluidintroduced into the refrigeration system.
 9. A method for introducing aquantity of fluid into a pressurized refrigeration system comprising thesteps of: a. providing a squeeze bottle containing a supply of saidfluid, said bottle being incapable of withstanding the pressure in thesystem, said bottle having a flexible dispenser portion fixed theretocapable of withstanding such pressure, a pair of spaced check valvesdefining a pump chamber in said diSpenser portion, and a threaded flairfitting; b. threadably connecting the dispenser portion of said squeezebottle to the charging valve of the refrigeration system; c. manuallysqueezing said bottle to force a quantity of fluid into said pumpchamber between said check valves; and d. squeezing said dispenserportion with force multiplying means to create sufficient force toovercome the pressure of the system and pump at least a portion of thefluid from said pump chamber and into the refrigeration system.
 10. Amethod as set forth in claim 9 wherein steps (c) and (d) are performedin sequence after the steps of: a. threadably connecting said threadedflair fitting to one end of a standard charging hose the second end ofsaid hose being open; b. purging air from said bottle dispenser portionand charging hose by manually squeezing said bottle until fluid fromsaid container appears at the open second end of said hose; and c.threadably connecting the second end of said hose to said refrigerationsystem charging valve.